The Breck Girl vs. The Veep

From the WashPost this morning – “Debate Assumes New Importance”

Tomorrow's vice presidential debate, which both campaigns once presumed wouldbe a sideshow to the presidential race, has assumed critical importance, with Republicans depending on Vice President Cheney to halt the ticket's slide in momentum.

What momentum slide? From the WashPost this afternoon – “After First Debate, Bush Still Leads Kerry - Washington Post Poll Shows President Holding 5-Point Edge”

In the aftermath of last week's presidential debate, Bush currently leads Kerry 51 percent to 46 percent among those most likely to vote, according to polling conducted Friday through Sunday. Independent candidate Ralph Nader claims 1 percent of the hypothetical vote.

That’s a 1% “bounce” for Kerry in the ABC News/WashPost poll (from 51%-45%). Meanwhile, the Pew poll today also indicated a 5% lead for Bush among likely voters (49%-44%). I hope the Kerry campaign enjoyed their one-day Newsweek snap poll because things are settling back to normal. Americans aren’t voting for the best debater, they’re choosing a President.